pancreas
[ pan-kree-uh s, pang- ]
/ ˈpæn kri əs, ˈpæŋ- /
noun Anatomy, Zoology.
a gland, situated near the stomach, that secretes a digestive fluid into the intestine through one or more ducts and also secretes the hormone insulin.
Compare
islet of Langerhans,
pancreatic juice.
Origin of pancreas
OTHER WORDS FROM pancreas
pan·cre·at·ic [pan-kree-at-ik, pang-] /ˌpæn kriˈæt ɪk, ˌpæŋ-/, adjectiveWords nearby pancreas
Example sentences from the Web for pancreas
British Dictionary definitions for pancreas
pancreas
/ (ˈpæŋkrɪəs) /
noun
a large elongated glandular organ, situated behind the stomach, that secretes insulin and pancreatic juice
Derived forms of pancreas
pancreatic (ˌpæŋkrɪˈætɪk), adjectiveWord Origin for pancreas
C16: via New Latin from Greek
pankreas, from
pan- +
kreas flesh
Medical definitions for pancreas
pancreas
[ păng′krē-əs ]
n. pl. pan•cre•a•ta (păng-krē′ə-tə)
A lobulated gland without a capsule, extending from the concavity of the duodenum to the spleen, consisting of a flattened head within the duodenal concavity, an elongated three-sided body extending across the abdomen, and a tail touching the spleen, and secreting insulin and glucagon internally and pancreatic juice externally into the intestine.
Other words from pancreas
pan′cre•at′ic (păng′krē-ăt′ĭk) adj.Scientific definitions for pancreas
pancreas
[ păng′krē-əs ]
A long, irregularly shaped gland in vertebrate animals that is located behind the stomach and is part of the digestive system. It secretes hormones (insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin) into the bloodstream and digestive enzymes into the small intestine or gut. The pancreas also secretes sodium bicarbonate, which protects the lining of the intestine by neutralizing acids from the stomach.
Cultural definitions for pancreas
pancreas
[ (pang-kree-uhs, pan-kree-uhs) ]
A gland behind the stomach that functions in both the endocrine system and the digestive system. Its endocrine function involves the secretion into the bloodstream of insulin, which regulates the level of sugars in the blood. As part of the digestive system, the pancreas secretes into the small intestine a fluid containing enzymes that is used in the digestion of all foods.